Wilderness and Civilization

Abstract

This chapter examines early twentieth century constructions of “wildness” and common Euroamerican beliefs about what it means to be civilized. In her explanation of the significance of the “Wild Indian ” and the “Indian Devil ” to Yurok culture, Thompson challenges racist assumptions about indigenous people. She also presents a critique of how Euroamericans both denigrate and romanticize Native culture, eventually highlighting thought-provoking similarities between the so-called “Wild Indian ” and the white man.